HP's Chromebook 14 is one of the first Google laptops to sport an AMD processor. We got a sneak peek at it before CES.

HP’s Chromebook 14 is one of the first Google laptops to feature AMD processors. While the A4 chip in question isn’t exactly Ryzen-class, it’s a step up from the low-end, no-name processors that crowd the Chromebook space. It also features a welcome boost from Radeon graphics. These AMD APUs help bring some much-needed performance competition to the category.

Announced at CES in Las Vegas and due to ship in January with a starting price of $269, HP said to expect performance at about the level of Intel’s Celeron processors—at very affordable prices. (Note: An AMD A6 version of the Chromebook 14 was also announced, but it won’t be available in the United States at launch, and its future availability here is not certain, an HP spokesperson confirmed.)

HP

The HP Chromebook 14 will come in Ink Blue (shown), as well as Charcoal Gray and Show White.

Battery life: Up to 9 hours and 15 minutes in mixed use, per HP (display brightness set to 150 nits)

HP

The HP Chromebook 14 will include both USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as a microSD slot.

The prices differ around the display. The starting $269 model has an HD (1366x768) WLED. Move up to $299, and you get either an HD display with touch, or a Full HD (1920x1080) WLED with IPS technology.

All versions will come in Chalkboard Gray or Snow White. The two $299 versions will also come in Ink Blue.

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